Opening nights.

Dramatic, Moral Fireworks Raise `Caine Mutiny'

January 05, 1996|By Lawrence Bommer.

When something's rotten at the top, it's up to the bottom to restore true law and order. Adapted for the stage by Herman Wouk from his Pulitzer Prize-winning novel "The Caine Mutiny," "The Caine Mutiny Court Martial" details a ferocious faceoff between a renegade captain and a rebellious subordinate.

Opening Saturday at A Red Orchid Theatre, Wouk's vivid, if imaginary, trial offers a golden opportunity for theatrical fireworks and a reflection on a morality higher than military discipline.

"The Caine Mutiny Court Martial" focuses on the trial of Lt. Stephen Maryk, charged with unlawfully wresting control of the U.S.S. Caine -- while the ship was foundering in a harrowing typhoon -- from his superior officer, Capt. Philip Queeg.

The defense hangs on one elusive question: Was Capt. Queeg mentally fit to navigate the ship through the storm to safety, or was Maryk's decision to take the helm the one chance for the crew's survival? Sometimes evidence can be as small as a pair of ball bearings neurotically rolled by an impatient and volatile officer.

Wouk's contemporary morality play walks the line between discipline and compulsion, fear and paranoia, valor and recklessness. Wilson Milam directs a cast of 11, and Robert G. Smith designs the courtroom.

"Birth-Rite," Friday, Peter Handler, in association with New Crime Productions, at Angel Island, 731 W. Sheridan Rd.; 312-989-7872: Imagine the pressure to become the first baby of a brand new era! Actually, Chicago theater artist Peter M. Handler does it for you as he directs a cast of six in the world premiere of "Birth-Rite." His satirical comedy depicts the ultimate world premiere, a global contest to find the first baby born in the New Millennium.

The play takes place on New Year's Eve, 1999 (which some argue will only usher in the final year of the 20th Century). The setting is a maternity ward where a group of pregnant women feverishly compete for First Baby of the New Era. At the same time around the world, thousands more pregnant women are also vying to deliver their kids at the first moment past midnight (technically 12:00:000001). To the winner goes a considerable collection of money, prizes and public honors.

During the last six years, Handler has become familiar to Chicago audiences through his work with New Crimes Productions, where he produced "Methusalem," "Marat/Sade" and "Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas."

"Part Two -- The Upright Citizens Brigade: Perestroika," Del Close Theatre at Improv Olympic, 3541 N. Clark St.; 312-664-4032: Continuing the satire that began on Dec. 12 with "Part One -- The Upright Citizens Brigade: Millenniunm Approaches" (performed at Second City e.t.c.), this installment includes an hourlong satire by the five-member Brigade, followed by a 30-minute improvisation set. Where the first part supposedly hastened the coming of the day of human perfection, the second part will provide "a precise blueprint for the restructuring of society." Despite the titles, neither part, it seems, is meant to be a parody of Tony Kushner's "Angels in America."

"Mandy Patinkin in Concert," Tuesday, Shubert Theatre, 22 W. Monroe St.; 312-902-1500: Broadway's master songman brings his critically acclaimed theater concert to the Shubert for six performances only. A Tony and Emmy winner, Patinkin made his 1980 Broadway debut as Che Guevara in Andrew Lloyd Webber's "Evita." Patinkin is best known for his recently abandoned role of Dr. Jeffrey Geiger, the "singing surgeon" in the CBS series "Chicago Hope."

But Patinkin's live performances have a directness and intimacy that film, or even his four solo albums, can't capture. (His latest, "Oscar and Steve," features songs by Oscar Hammerstein Jr. and Stephen Sondheim.)